BRIDGEWATER - There will be a local meeting to talk about a government white paper proposing a community lands trust to safeguard what's described as "traditional uses" of private properties.

 The public meeting slated for Lunenburg County takes place in Bridgewater, September 22 at the Days Inn, off North Street. Seven other meetings are planned during the month of September, when the province said it will present community land purchase options.

 "When large privately held land holdings come on the market, individuals and communities may be interested in purchasing the land, but do not have a mechanism to do that. The white paper looks at several options," the Department of Natural Resources said in a statement.

 Minister John MacDonell said in a news release the government wants to determine if a trust is the best option to aid communities and individuals getting involved in buying property.

 "Nova Scotians want to buy lands they value, and through public consultation we'll hear how they want to contribute to the purchase of land for community purposes, and have a say in its use," he said.

 The release said the province spent $77 million to buy land in 2009-10 "and is asking communities what tools they would like to have in place to enable them to participate in the land purchase process.

 To obtain on-line versions of the document, check out http://www.gov.ns.ca/natr on the internet.

posted on 09/07/10